Kamal Ghorui
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has sounded a note of caution around the rising hype surrounding teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ahead of IPL 2026, while also backing the youngster to deliver in what could be a defining season.Speaking on JioStar, Pathan pointed out that the real test for Vaibhav will begin now, with teams expected to come up with clear strategies to counter his explosive batting.“There will be challenges for Vaibhav. Teams will come with specific plans against him. We’ve already seen how teams planned for Abhishek, and Vaibhav will face something similar. But I think he has the ‘dum’. He scores wherever he plays – be it U-19, India A, or red-ball cricket. He’s been consistently making runs. Last season, we saw him in just seven games. This season, he’s likely to get a full run of matches, so there is every chance this could be a breakout season for Vaibhav,” Pathan said.Vaibhav heads into IPL 2026 as one of the most talked-about young players in the Indian Premier League. The 14-year-old grabbed headlines last season with a stunning 35-ball century against the Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest player to score a hundred in IPL history and the fastest Indian to reach the milestone, surpassing Yusuf Pathan’s record.His rise has been equally remarkable in international age-group cricket. Vaibhav played a match-winning knock of 175 off 80 balls in the final of the Under-19 World Cup against England, earning Player of the Match honours and guiding India to their sixth title.Despite the growing spotlight, Pathan stressed the importance of mental balance for the youngster as he navigates the early phase of what could be a long career.“At the same time, it’s important for Vaibhav to not let anything affect him mentally. It’s quite remarkable to think he’s only 15 and could potentially have a 20–25-year professional career ahead of him. In an era where longevity isn’t always prioritised, Vaibhav has that opportunity. He needs to stay mentally free and not fall into the trap of thinking things are too easy. Rahul Dravid’s role last season was crucial, and having a mentor like that around him again will be very important this season. There will definitely be plans against him – teams might look to keep the ball outside off stump, away from his hitting arc, and use variations to restrict him. He will have to adapt and overcome those challenges,” he added.Vaibhav, who became the youngest-ever IPL player at just 14 years and 23 days after being picked up by the Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore in the 2025 auction, is now set for a full season with greater expectations.With Kumar Sangakkara taking over as head coach following Rahul Dravid’s departure, and Riyan Parag leading the side, Rajasthan Royals will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings in Guwahati on March 30.As the anticipation builds, all eyes will be on Vaibhav to see if he can live up to the hype and turn promise into sustained performance in the upcoming season.
